Moving from Richardson, TX to Vallejo, CA
Moving from Richardson, TX to Vallejo, CA is a 1733 mi cross-country relocation β about 30h 37m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1733 mi Β· 30h 37m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Fairfield, Oakland, Concord, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Vallejo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.2% pricier overall in Vallejo than Richardson on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 5.2% higher in Vallejo than Richardson as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Vallejo -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 21.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 61.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, VALLEJO, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 124,637 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $89,496 |
| Median age | 34 | 40 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.84 |
Median household income in Vallejo is 5.2% below Richardson ($96,257 β $89,496, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Vallejo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Vallejo compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Vallejo MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Vallejo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $89,496 in Vallejo vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 7.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Vallejo, CA from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 1733 mi and the route typically takes 30h 37m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Vallejo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1733 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Vallejo compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $520,970 in Vallejo vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 18.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Vallejo more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Vallejo is 5.2% higher than Richardson (108.479 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Vallejo, CA.